Dog Grooming

No matter how cute your dog is every dog succumbs to stinky dog syndrome at one time or another. Dogs need to follow proper hygiene practices similar to humans and you are the one to help them do this. It is important to engage in pet grooming so that your dog does not end up having the infamous dog odor and matted, dirty fur. You need to keep them in tip top shape.

Pet grooming entails a depth of grooming services that you need to do perform on your dog often. The most basic pet grooming service that you should do is to give your dog a bath. This pet grooming necessity often makes your dog run for the hills, so following are tips to help you bathe your dog successfully.

You want to make your dogs bathing experience a pleasant one so they dont shake in terror the moment you show them the bathtub. Therefore, make sure the bathroom is comfortably warm. Gather pet grooming bath supplies together before bringing the dog into the bathroom. You dont want them to cower in fear while you stumble around searching for their doggy shampoo. Path grooming bath supplies include dog shampoo, bucket, towels, and hair dryer.

Once you have your pet grooming supplies ready then go find your dog. Bring them into the bathroom first and then turn on the water. Pet them and comfort them while you are waiting for the water to become a warm, soothing temperature. Keep smiling and make a bath sound like it is the best thing since sliced bread.

You can bathe your dog in the bath tub by using a bucket to splash water over their body. You can also find a hose with a sprayer at the end at your grocery or home supply store. This can be very helpful as it speeds up the washing process.

You can wash your dog with your hands, but there are also rubber textured mittens available on the market. These pet grooming gloves work well to gently scrub your dog clean while giving them a massage at the same time. This massage technique will help your dog to not only take the bath without problems, but actually enjoy it.

There are several pet grooming dog shampoos to choose from. Some pet grooming shampoos are medicated against fleas and ticks. You can also find scented shampoos and shampoos that are made for dogs with sensitive skin. The type of shampoo you will use in your pet grooming can depend on the time of year.

For example, some dogs have allergies in the late fall or spring that prompt them to need hypoallergenic shampoo while in the winter they need a more moisture rich shampoo. The important thing is to use shampoo that is specifically created for dogs. Never use dish soap or your own shampoo as this can likely plague your dog with painful skin irritation. Consult your veterinarian and dog groomer for shampoo recommendations.

Once your dog is in the tub you need to make sure to wash water over their entire body. Place a small amount of shampoo in your hands and start by washing the top of their head. Do this with extreme care as you do not want shampoo to seep into their eyes. You can cover their eyes with your hands and rinse in the direction away from their eyes. You can also use eye drops prescribed by your vet that will ward against any shampoo that has accidentally snuck into their eyes.

Continue this process by massage in a small amount of shampoo on their back working your way around their entire body. It is critical to rinse thoroughly so that you dont have any shampoo build up that can be an itchy situation for your dog.

Dry them first with a towel as they shake their entire body as well. Dont forget to gently wipe the inside of their ears and paws with the towel to remove an excess water or moisture. Moisture left in their ears can lead to wax and bacteria build up which leaves them prone to ear infections in the future.

Next you need to continue your pet grooming by drying your dog with a hair dryer. Use the medium setting that is not too hot and test it on yourself first to ensure you wont burn your dog. Hold the hair dryer at least six inches from your dogs fur and work your way from the dense fur on your dogs back to their legs and face. Continue pet grooming until your dogs fur is almost dry, but not completely. You dont want to risk burning their precious skin by drying their hair for too long. You can brush through their hair as you dry it to give it body and style.

It is a good idea to give your dog praise and encouragement during and after this pet grooming session. This will help to improve their behavior during the bath which could save you from being drenched in their splashing water. Bathe your pet as often as necessary. Some dogs require more frequent pet grooming while others can go a longer period of time. Consult your veterinarian and pet groomer for advice about your particular dog.

Bathing your pet can also be a great time to bond with your canine companion while removing their stinky dog smell in the process!

If anyone told you that all hair stylists or barbers were alike, you’d probably laugh in disbelief. If you think that not all hair stylists or barbers are alike, then you should also realize that not all dog groomers are alike. Your dog might not mind so much if he or she has a bad hair day, but you sure will. You need to take the time to find the best groomer for your dog that you can afford.

Before You Look

First of all, does your dog really need a groomer? Short haired dogs do not need a groomer in order to maintain good health and a clean coat if you are willing to do all of the brushing, bathing and claw-clipping yourself. Some dogs will only need a trim once a year, mainly to keep the hair out of their eyes and their anal region. Some dogs like Schnauzers need their coats stripped once a year in order to maintain prime health.

And then there are dogs like Poodles and Bichon Frises that need their coats dealt with every five or six weeks. Their coats not only grow incredibly fast, but they also matt very easily. Having a dirty clump of hair not only is unsightly, but leads to sores and general misery for the dog.

If your dog’s coat commands constant attention, you need to find a groomer. You can’t just cut the coat with scissors or an electric trimmer, as the coat needs to be washed first (Same as with your hair).

People To Ask

The best people to ask for recommendations about a great local dog groomer come from your veterinarian, your boarding kennel (if you have one), your dog trainer (if you have one), from friends and family who own dogs or from a neighbor at the local dog park who has a dog with a high-maintenance coat.

Perhaps your vet offers grooming services. This can be a time saver only if your dog is okay with going to the vet. If your dog falls to pieces every time you go to the vet’s, then you need to find another groomer.

If no one you know knows of a good groomer, then go to the website of the National Dog Groomers Association of America, with the Yellow Pages and your pet supply store for names. Many pet stores now offer affordable grooming services. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau’s website to see if your dog groomer candidates have been in any trouble recently.

What To Look For

A good dog groomer will have a clean, orderly, brightly lit salon and will clearly be able to get along with dogs. It will also smell nice. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or to ask if the groomer is familiar with grooming your dog’s breed. Also check to see that the dogs are regularly monitored when they are under a blow dryer.

Your dog will most likely make the final decision. If they pull on the lead to go to the groomer, then you have found the right groomer.